‘Deputy speaker breached privilege’ — Benue rep vows to re-submit petition against herders

Mark Terseer Gbillah, the lawmaker representing Benue Gwer east/Gwer west federal constituency, says Idris Wase, the deputy speaker, breached his privilege when he blocked the petition from the Mutual Union of the Tiv in America.

Gbillah, in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, promised to re-represent the petition against the activities of herders in Benue state on the floor of the house.

TheCable had reported how Wase rejected a petition by the union which was submitted by Gbillah.

After several media reports quoting his words at the plenary session, Wase subsequently released a statement which he denied blocking the petition by Nigerians in diaspora.

“If this petition is coming from those who are within the country, I believe it has a very block standard,” he had said.

Reacting to Wase’s comments at the plenary and his recent statement, Gbillah accused the deputy speaker of being bias.

“I do not have anything personal against the deputy speaker, but I do not see how his response in that press statement is tenable. No aspect of that video was doctored, his words were taken verbatim. So, it is obvious from that exchange that he appeared to have some premeditated bias against the presentation of that petition,” he said.

“Even when it has to do with dual citizenship, our constitution recognises and permits dual citizenship. There is nothing in our laws that prevents them from expressing themselves about issues concerning their country men.”

He said Nigerians in diaspora have a right to petition the house of representatives, adding that their right has been breached.

He also said he would be re-submitting the petition on behalf of the Tiv union.

“It is their country, it is their parliament, they have absolutely unalienable rights to present a petition on the floor of either chamber of the assembly,” he said.

“I will be re-submitting the petition next week because I believe my privilege has been breached, the privilege of my people, the Tiv Union, my constituents and the privilege of Nigerians in diaspora has been breached.”